NHTSA Data Explorer

Saturn SL1

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Saturn SL1.

Complaints

25

Active records

Recalls

1

Active records

TSBs

388

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

1

Injuries

7

Crashes

5

Fires

0

Top reported issues — Saturn SL1

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

8

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

7

Condition issue

6

Engine behavior

4

Safety restraint behavior

4

Safety restraint issue

4

Noise

3

Braking behavior

2

Performance issue

2

Access/entry issue

1

Driver assistance issue

1

Powering on/off behavior

1

Starting behavior

1

Steering behavior

1

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2001 SATURN SL

Filed Jan 15, 2024


The problem is with the Firestone Tempa Spare T115/70 R14 spare tire. This tire came with the car when new, and has never been used. Tire date of manufacture is 42 2000. I periodically check its air pressure, but it has never been out of the spare tire well. I checked the pressure 1 week ago, and found a large bulge in the tread, along with broken cords, both steel, and polyester (see photos). The inner tire liner has not ruptured, and the tire still holds air. One month ago I checked the…

2002 SATURN SL

Filed Jul 4, 2023


1 injured
Crash

A car hit me it the front passenger side the hood of my car bent up the passenger side of my windshield cracked and my car went spinning not one air bag came out

2002 SATURN SL

Filed Sep 25, 2020


IGNITION REQUIRES KEY JIGGLE IN ORDER TO START. ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS CONSTANT SHORTS, MAJOR FAILURE IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS.

1999 SATURN SL

Filed Jun 19, 2020


I JUST RECEIVED A 1999 SATURN SL 2 SERIES A YEAR AGO FROM MY MOTHER FOR MY VERY FIRST CAR. I GOT IT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES AND IT IS NOW CURRENTLY AT 122,446. I NOTICED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING, USUALLY AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MILES AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR AND DRIVING, MY GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP. I KEPT UP WITH JUST ABOUT MONTHLY OIL CHANGES, ACCOMPANIED BY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF. MY TRANSMISSION OIL HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. THEN, ABOUT 4 DAYS AGO I WENT TO LEAVE FROM MY…

2002 SATURN SL

Filed Dec 19, 2018


I OWN A 2002 SATURN SL VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 7/2016. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE. BOTH STARTER AND BATTERY HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED OUT OK. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED ON 10/31/18. AFTER THESE REPAIRS, WHEN STARTED IT STILL MADE VERY NOISY SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. NOW I CAN'T GET IT TO START AT ALL. I TRIED TO GET HELP ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO MY VEHICLE'S STARTING PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED SATURN COMPANY 1(800)533-6000 AND GM RECALL CENTER 1(866)694-6546. NEITHER WERE WILLING TO…

2002 SATURN SL

Filed Aug 31, 2018


1 injured
Crash

THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAS INVOLVED IN A 3 CAR COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A 1985 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD TRAVELING AT AT LEAST A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A 2002 AUDI (I BELIEVE IT WAS) SUV. DURING THE COLLISION THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK FAILED AND COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE SEAT ADJUSTER THAT FAILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION DUE TO THE COLLISION AND THE SEAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A STATE ROAD, AND WAS STATIONARY.

2000 SATURN SL

Filed Jul 13, 2018


1 death
3 injured
Crash

HIT MOUNTAIN HEAD ON AND CAR ROLLED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. REAR TIRE AND DRUM BROKE OFF CAR WHILE DOING 50 MILE PER HOUR

2002 SATURN SL

Filed May 21, 2018


RPMS GO UP TO 5 AND THEN DROP TO 0 - ENGINE STALLS AND WILL START BUT WILL CONTINUE AT HIGH RPMS AND KEEP STALLING. AS I WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, THE RPMS WENT UP TO 5, AND THEN QUICKLY DROPPED TO 0. THE ENGINE STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT WHEN REACHING 35 MPH, WOULD DO SAME THING (HIGH RPMS AND THEN DROP AND STALL). I HAD TO KEEP SITTING AND RE STARTING TO GET THE REMAINDER OF 6 MILES TO MY HOME. GARAGE RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. …

2001 SATURN SL

Filed Mar 25, 2018


Crash

I HAVE SOO MUCH PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR

2002 SATURN SL

Filed Feb 27, 2018


AFTER OPENING ANY DOOR, THE HANDLES STICK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, WON'T RELEASE AND THE DOOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.